Combination eating counter and self-contained garbage receptacle unit

ABSTRACT

This is a combination eating counter and garbage receptacle unit in which at least a portion of the counter top is removable to provide access to the garbage receptacle area thereunder.

0 United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,738,724 Rauma June 12, 1973 [54]COMBINATION EATING COUNTER AND 1,840,024 1 1932 Dalton 232/432SELECONTAINED GARBAGE 3,140,070 7/1964 Doebele 248/99 X 3,604,677 9/1971Gits 248/99 RECEPTACLE UNIT 1,150,490 1/1958 Lambert et al ..312/21 1[75] Inventor: John G. Rauma, Minneapolis, Minn. 1,579,823 4/1926Langguth ..312/211 UXA 2,6133, 39 7 1954 Brenny ..232/1 R XR [73]Assgnee' f w and 3???? 3,682,901 3/ 1963 Nakagawa 232/432 3,099,3907/1963 Dylla 232/432 22 Filed: Mar. 15, 1971 Primary Examiner-Paul R.Gilliam [21] Appl' 1124335 Attorney-John W. Adams [52] US. Cl 3l2/140.l,312/211, 232/432 [57] ABSTRACT 'f A47, 96/18 A47f 9/00, A47b 81/00 Thisis a combination eating counter and garbage re- [58] Field ofSearch ..312/140. 1 140.2, ceptacle unit in which at least a portion of thecounter 312/284, 211,212; 232/1,43.2,44; 248/9 top is removable toprovide access to the garbage re- [56] References Cited ceptacle areathereunder.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 614,827 11/1898 Bonham312/211 X 1,115,403 10/1914 Cseh 232/43.1

PAIENIEBmu 2 am I N VEN TOR JOl/IV G. PAN/A4219 y l am Arm/awayCOMBINATION EATING COUNTER AND SELF-CONTAINED GARBAGE RECEPTACLE UNITThroughout history many different types of tables and eating countershave been used in restaurants and cafeterias. Keeping the eatingsurfaces clean and removal and disposal of the garbage and waste paperhas been a serious problem which involves considerable labor expense.

The major object of this invention is to provide an eating counterhaving a garbage receptacle with a receiving opening which is integrallyformed with the counter and which is readily accessible to thecustomers. This eliminates a substantial portion of the cost of clean uplabor and, in general, provides a much cleaner place for the restaurantpatrons.

It is a specific object to provide a free-standing counter which formsan enclosure around a waste paper and garbage receiving receptacle andwhich is provided with a removable top portion to provide access to andremoval of the receptacle, while at the same time providing aconveniently located waste receiving opening which permits garbage andwaste paper to be deposited directly into the receptacle by thecustomers when they have finished eating.

It is still a further object to provide a two-section eating counter ofthe class described wherein the inner section is readily removable toprovide access to the receptacle.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views; and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view thereof takensubstantially along the line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention; and,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view of the form shown inFIG. 3, taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, constitutes asimplified, basic unit which includes a base structure designated as anentirety by numeral and constructed in the form shown from moldedmaterial such as fiberglass resin composition or the like. The base 10has a bottom portion 10a, generally cylindrical sidewalls 10b and anupwardly flared inverted frustoconical section 100 surrounding thecylindrical sidewall portion and integrally formed therewith. The upperedge of the flared section 10c has in the form shown a slightlythickened supporting rim 10d.

A removable counter section 12 provides a cover for the base structure10 and has an annular panel 120 with a downturned mounting flange 12b atthe outer circumferential edge thereof. The flange 12b interfits withthe rim 10d to positively position the counter section on the base 10.The annular panel 12a in this form of the invention (shown in FIGS. 3 &4) provides the eating counter surface. A central opening designated bythe numeral 13 is defined by a raised shield portion 120 which surroundsthe inner circumferential edge of the annular counter panel 12a. Agenerally cylindrical skirt portion 12d extends downwardly from theupper end of the shield 12c and in the form shown the entire countersection 12 including the counter panel 12a, flange 12b, shield 12c, andinner skirt 12d are all integrally formed as by being molded in a singleunit, as is the base structure 10.

An easily replaceable collection receptacle is mounted below the counterpanel 12a and in the form shown constitutes a disposable bag 14 and theupper circumferential edge thereof is provided with suitable supportingmeans such as the supporting ring 15 mounted within the base in fixedrelation thereto on a plurality of rod-like supports 16 which in theform shown are secured to the inside of the generally cylindricalsidewall portion 10b of the base structure 10.

After the customers finish eatingthey can merely throw their disposableplates, cups and eating utensils through the opening 13 and into thedisposable bag 14. The inner surface of the cylindrical skirt portion12d is smooth to facilitate easy cleaning as is, of course, the eatingsurface 12a and the upstanding shield portion 12c.

An alternative form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2wherein the counter section 12 including the counter'panel 12a, flange12b, shield portion 12c, and inner skirt portion 12d forms the innerremovable section. However, an outer counter section 20 is provided andhas an upturned inner circumferential flange 20a and a downturned outercircumferential flange 20b with an annular smooth surfaced eating panel20c extending between the flanges. A base structure 22 which is somewhatlarger than the base structure 10 previously described, is provided andhas a bottom 22a, an upstanding cylindrical portion 22b and an invertedfrusto-conical section 22c which is flared outwardly at the top andinterfits with the downturned flange 20b to positively position andsupport the counter section 20 which in turn supports the inner section12 as illustrated. In the form shown, both the inner section 12 and theouter section 20 can be removed from the base 22 to facilitate changingof the garbage receiving receptacle such as the bag 23. The bag 23 issupported on a supporting ring 24 which in turn is mounted on supportingrods 25 which are attached to the inside of the cylindrical portion 22bof the base unit 22.

It will be seen that this invention provides relatively simple yethighly efficient eating counter with a selfcontained garbage receptaclehidden from view but conveniently located to insure its use by theself-service customers. In the modified portion of the inventionillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the central removable section 12 issupported on a somewhat larger outer counter section 20 which can alsobe easily removed if desired. The removable center section as well asthe other sections are made from light-weight material such as moldedfiberglass reinforced resin and can be quickly and easily removed foraccess to the garbage receptacle area thereunder.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportion of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention which generally statedconsists in the manner set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination eating counter and garbage receptacle for self-servicerestaurant operations comprising a hollow, upstanding, supporting basestructure,

an eating counter assembly supported on said base structure, at least aportion of said eating counter assembly being removable from said basestructure, said eating counter assembly including a large, generallyhorizontally disposed panel having a substantially flat outer edgeportion at which customers can be accommodated and an upstanding inneredge portion elevated above the outer edge portion and defining anuncovered opening through which garbage can be disposed,

a removable garbage receptacle in said base portion below and inalignment with said opening, and means in said base structure to receiveand hold said removable garbage receptacle,

said removable counter portion providing access to the garbage receivingreceptacle to facilitate removal thereof from the base structure, andsaid upstanding, elevated inner edge portion shielding the garbagereceptacle from the view of customers at the outer edge portion of saidpanel.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said opening is disposedin a central portion of the counter assembly and said counter panelsurrounds said openmg.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein the counter assembly isgenerally annular in shape.

4. The structure set forth in claim 2 and said entire eating panel beingformed in a single removable unit to provide easy access to and removalof the garbage receiving receptacle, and cooperating interfitting meanson said base structure and the removable counter panel to positivelyposition said panel on said base.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said counter assemblyincludes an outer eating panel mounted on said base a separate an innersection defining the garbage disposal opening and supported by saidouter panel, at least the inner section being removable to provideaccess to and removal of the garbage receptacle.

6. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said base structure isprovided with a lower floor engaging portion and an upper, outwardlyextending overhanging portion to facilitate accommodation of customersat the outer portion of said counter panel.

7. The structure set forth in claim 1 in which said receptacle-holdingmeans constitutes a ring member underlying said removable panel portion.

8. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said upstanding inner edgeportion is imperforate and surrounds the garbage receiving opening toprevent articles from inadvertently falling through said opening inaddition to shielding the garbage receiving receptacle from view.

1. A combination eating counter and garbage receptacle for selfservicerestaurant operations comprising a hollow, upstanding, supporting basestructure, an eating counter assembly supported on said base structure,at least a portion of said eating counter assembly being removable fromsaid base structure, said eating counter assembly including a large,generally horizontally disposed panel having a substantially flat outeredge portion at which customers can be accommodated and an upstandinginner edge portion elevated above the outer edge portion anD defining anuncovered opening through which garbage can be disposed, a removablegarbage receptacle in said base portion below and in alignment with saidopening, and means in said base structure to receive and hold saidremovable garbage receptacle, said removable counter portion providingaccess to the garbage receiving receptacle to facilitate removal thereoffrom the base structure, and said upstanding, elevated inner edgeportion shielding the garbage receptacle from the view of customers atthe outer edge portion of said panel.
 2. The structure set forth inclaim 1 wherein said opening is disposed in a central portion of thecounter assembly and said counter panel surrounds said opening.
 3. Thestructure set forth in claim 2 wherein the counter assembly is generallyannular in shape.
 4. The structure set forth in claim 2 and said entireeating panel being formed in a single removable unit to provide easyaccess to and removal of the garbage receiving receptacle, andcooperating interfitting means on said base structure and the removablecounter panel to positively position said panel on said base.
 5. Thestructure set forth in claim 4 wherein said counter assembly includes anouter eating panel mounted on said base a separate an inner sectiondefining the garbage disposal opening and supported by said outer panel,at least the inner section being removable to provide access to andremoval of the garbage receptacle.
 6. The structure set forth in claim 1wherein said base structure is provided with a lower floor engagingportion and an upper, outwardly extending overhanging portion tofacilitate accommodation of customers at the outer portion of saidcounter panel.
 7. The structure set forth in claim 1 in which saidreceptacle-holding means constitutes a ring member underlying saidremovable panel portion.
 8. The structure set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid upstanding inner edge portion is imperforate and surrounds thegarbage receiving opening to prevent articles from inadvertently fallingthrough said opening in addition to shielding the garbage receivingreceptacle from view.